Absenteeism has personal as well as institutional causes. It is increasingly impossible for schools to function as custodians of their student, given changing social attitudes toward both youth and authority. Therefore, schools must respond to students' needs by curricular revision, for example, in order to cut down on absenteeism. Hazell summarizes New Jersey's school attendance legislation and the court cases bearing on compulsory education, absenteeism, and truancy. He suggests that state law should be updated and clarified to allow for proper enforcement of compulsory attendance. Local school boards should adopt regulations consistent with state attendance laws. Parents should be fully apprised of district and state policy. (DS)